Manaslu Circuit Trek - 18 Days

The Manaslu Circuit trek is located in the Lamjung district of Nepal to the North West of Kathmandu. It is considered to be one of the most challenging treks in Nepal and has only officially been open to tourists since 1991. The Manaslu Circuit Trek is the perfect combination of rich cultural heritage with the unsurpassed natural beauty of the Himalayan Range. Trekkers can see the fascinating Tibetan Culture that is prevalent in the Manaslu Region as many people in this region are direct descendants of Tibetan Immigrants that settled here in the 1600’s.

Mount Manaslu is the 8th highest peak in the world with an altitude of 8156m and is the centerpiece of this trek. It is located along the border between Nepal and Tibet. It is believed that the word Manaslu was derived from thesanskrit word Manasa which means ‘soul’ or ‘intellect’. Hence, Mount Manaslu is also commonly known as the ‘Mountain of the Spirit’.The highest point in this trek is the ‘Larkya La Pass’ which is widely believed to be one of the most dramatic pass crossings the Himalayas. With far less tourist traffic than other regions Manaslu has a remote and secluded feel which makes this trek perfectly suited to trekkers that want to experience the beauty and solitude of nature.

You will be welcomed by a Great Nepal Representative at the airport and be transferred to your hotel. Your Great Nepal Representative will explain briefly about the travel itinerary. There will be a welcome dinner tonight where you will enjoy local cuisine and folk dance. Overnight stay in hotel.

Today you will be going for sightseeing around the world heritage sites in the Kathmandu valley including, Kathmandu Durbar square, Bouddhanath Temple and Pashupatinath Temple. Overnight stay at hotel.

Today we drive to Arughat which will take about 8-9 hours. The drive is divided to two parts. The first is to DhadingBesi, the district headquarter of Dhading district, this will take 4 hours. From there it’s another 4 hours to Arughat and then another 1 hour to Sotikhola. Overnight stay at a guesthouse in Sotikhola

Today we begin our trek. After we cross the river we trek through beautiful Sal forest before climbing onto a ridge above the rapids of the Budhi Gandaki. When we reachKhursane the trail meanders up and down past two stunning waterfall on the rocky trail clinging to the cliff. The trail then descends past rice terraces before ascending to the Gurung village of Labubesi. After further climbing the valley eventually opens up and the Budhi Gandaki meanders through a wide gravel river bed where we walk along to reach MachhaKhola village. Overnight in Machha Khola.

After crossing the Machhi River and Khrola besi we dome to a small hot spring called Tatopani (meaning hot water in Nepali). The trail then follows a heavily forested area toward Dovan. Below Dovan there are huge rapids on the Budi Gandaki. As we ascend leaving the rapids behind the scenery begins to dramatically change before arriving in Jagat. Overnight in Jagat.

Today we begin by trekking to Sirdibas via Salleri before continuing onto GhatteKhola then onto Philim which is a large Gurung village where we are introduced to Gurung culture. From here we walk past millet fields to Ekle Bhatti before entering a steep gorge before descending to cross the Budi Gandaki. As we continue the valley widens and we trek through bamboo forests before crossing the Deng Khola and reaching the tiny village of Deng. Overnight in Deng.

This morning it’s a short walk as we cross the Budhi Gandaki and climb steeply to Rama (1910m). From here we walk on to Bhi through dense forest via Prok Village from where we see some magnificent views of Siringi Himal. From here we cross the Budi Gandaki several times and come across several gompa’s. The trail follows the river through dense forest and through a narrow gorge before opening for our last steep climb to reach Namrung. Overnight in Namrung.

From Namrung village we can experience great views of Siring, Ganesh Himal and Mt. Himal Chuli in the south. After climbing steadily through forest we reach Lihi, a beautiful village with many Chortens and barley terraces. From here the trail drops and crosses the side valley of SimnangHimal with Ganesh Himal always close by. Further along the trail we reach Sama village where we can experience extraordinary views of Mt Manaslu and explore the Ribunggompa. Today we finish in Samagaon where we spend the night.

Today we spend the day at Samagaon for rest and acclimatization. Here we can explore the Sherpa and Tibetan culture, the manimani stones and Buddhist scenes of the area. We hike up a hill near Sama village to an the old Pungyen Gompa monastery where we have great views of the glacier. Overnight in Samagaon.

As we trek to Samdo we again descend to the Budhi Gandaki river and cross several grazing and pasture areas before gradually climbing up the valley where we have a fantastic view of the Himalayan mountains particularly Mt Manaslu. When we reach Samdo it is the last permanent settlement in the valley and from here it’s just a day’s walk to the border with Tibet. Overnight in Samdo.

Today we have another rest day for acclimatization. The plan for today is to hike up the valley behind Samdo Village. This takes us to one of the trade passes to Tibet from where we have exceptional views of Mt Manaslu and other peaks including Simrang, Hiunchuli, Ngadi, Larkye Peak and others. Overnight in Samdo.

After leaving Samdo we cross several streams and get a view of the Larkya Glacier as we go around the valley before climbing to the stone guest house at Dharmasala. It’s a short walk today allowing plenty of time for acclimatization and relaxation on arrival at our destination. Overnight in Dharmashala.

This is the hardest day of this trek. After a short climb, we reach a valley on the north side of the Larkya Glaciers from where we can enjoy great views of Cho Danda and Larkya Peak.From here we walk across glacial moraines gradually ascending before we reach the final steep section of the pass at 5160m. From the top of the pass there are amazing views of Himlung Himal (7126m), Cheo Himal (6820m), Annapurna II(7937m) and Mt Manaslu (8156m). It is a long day as we reach Bimthang with the evening mist floating in and Mt Manaslu close by. Overnight in Bimthang.

After leaving Bimthang and enjoying the amazing views of the surrounding mountains we descend and cross a high pasture before walking through beautiful rhododendron forest and small settlements before arriving at the small settlement of Tilije. Overnight in Tilije.

Today we walk through some beautiful villages and crossing the DudhKhola before climbing to Thonje village and then on to Dharapani where the trail meets the Annapurna Circuit. It is 1 hour further to Karte village and then on to Tal where we stay overnight.

Today we walk to Syange, a small village in the Annapurna Region. The trail to here enters to Marsyandi valley with it’s hillside terraces and villages before descending through Rhododendron and pine forest to Syange. Overnight in Syange.

Today we drive back to Kathmandu. Along the way we have the opportunity to enjoy the hill and mountain landscapes as we follow the banks of the Marsyangdi and Trishuli rivers. Here we can see beautiful villages and farming terraces before arriving in Kathmandu. Back in Kathmandu there is the opportunity for some last minute shopping. Tonight there will be a farewell dinner and time for us to recount the trip while enjoying traditional cuisine. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Sadly your most memorable journey ends today. A Great Nepal representative will escort you to the airport 3 hours before your scheduled flight. On your way home you have plenty of time to think about your recent adventure and to plan your next wonderful adventure in Nepal.

Inclusion

All transportation as per itinerary including airport transfers.

3 nights accommodation whilst in Kathmandu (as requirements with various categories as stated) on BB basis.

All your standard Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek.

Welcome dinner and farewell dinner in Kathmandu.

One day sightseeing in Kathmandu (Pashupatinath, Bouddhnath and Durbar Square).

Accommodation in the best available Lodges, Guesthouses during the trek (on twin share basis).

A local English speaking Government Guide during the trek.

The required number of staff and Porters to carry your luggage during the trek.

Any other expenses which are not mentioned on Price Inclusion section.

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Acclimatization

To enable all expedition members to acclimatize well and hence maximize their chances of success, our expedition programs are prepared with sufficient time for acclimatization. Adaptation to the altitude takes time and there can be no short-cuts, even if supplementary oxygen is used in the final stages. The atmospheric pressure at the base camp is half of that at the sea level. A thorough program of acclimatization is built into the itinerary which consists of regulated height ascents, followed by descents and rests before the final ascent to the summit. This will prevent the climbers to get rid from altitude sickness.

Why Tipping is essential?

There are several reasons why you should tip in Nepal. It is quite the same as for what you tip in restaurants. They live in remote areas that are far from proper health and education facilities. Tipping them will additionally encourage them to manage good and nutritive food to eat, warm and comfortable clothes to wear or other necessary basic requirements to maintain their livelihood in a comfortable way. A small gesture of gratitude will do no harm to you but actually changes the lives of many people for a long time in many reasons. Our company has its fund collected from the some percentage of profit and sometimes from the tips of our guests which will directly invested for uplifting the economic condition of guides, porters and other staffs of office. It’s nothing more than the way to add smiles on those laborious faces.